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Zoom Action Gala 2017 Preview

The words Zoom Auction will most certainly ring a bell for those accustomed to the world of Formula 1. And, ahead of the annual gala on Friday, I exclusively reveal Nico Hulkenberg’s picture that he submitted to be auctioned in aid of charity.

But, for those who are unaware of what exactly Zoom’s function is, this should hopefully help explain their role.

Exclusive photo: Nico Hulkenberg’s entry into this year’s auction. All rights to Zoom and Nico.

Nico Hulkenberg’s photograph took the above photo of him during the summer break last year. He said “I took this photo during my summer break in Majorca. I climbed this mountain from the very bottom to the top as part of my training. It was a tough session, but I still had some time to take in the view and when I saw this I thought it was a beautiful landscape. I wanted a memory of it and that’s why I took this photo.”

“ZOOM, which has raised almost £100,000 for charity since it was launched in late 2012, is the only auction of signed photos taken by the stars of any sport. It gives fans a glimpse behind the scenes at the track and reveals how F1’s superstars enjoy themselves away from it. The photos are like personal postcards from the sport’s biggest names and they come from all over the globe.

“Each year, the drivers and team principals of every F1 team are asked to take a photograph of their chosen subject. Images range from Fernando Alonso’s podium shot of the Monza crowd to Lewis Hamilton’s photo of his dog Roscoe visiting Rome and Nico Rosberg at the wheel of a 1938 Mercedes W154.

“Zoom is an initiative from Money Sport Media, the publisher of Formula 1 business data guide, Formula Money (www.formulamoney.com). The first event took place in September 2012 and the fifth event will be held on Friday 3rd February 2017.”

Source: a press release from Zoom.

In late 2012, Caroline Reid and Christian Sylt – authors of Formula 1’s industry monitor: Formula Money – decided that they wanted to create a new charity initiative, one that would unite the world of motorsport in aid of an incredibly worthwhile cause. And so, Zoom was born.

Now five years on, in 2017, Zoom Auction will support the charity Starlight – a UK based organisation which grants wishes for terminally ill children. The charity is remarkable, having brightened many young lives during extremely difficult periods for them and their families.

Wishes granted include taking a group of teenagers to the Monaco Grand Prix last year, where they got to spend time with their heroes. Something that they shall, no doubt, cherish forever.

Rebecca takes a selfie with Fernando Alonso – all rights to Starlight UK

The event has been a huge success in the past, with the sport’s biggest names making an appearance. Most notable names include Damon Hill, Christian Horner, Claire Williams, Eddie Jordan, Suzi Perry and Bernie Ecclestone himself.

“ZOOM is a super project. We are proud to be supporting it again, helping to raise money for charity while showing what the stars of F1 get up to away from the TV cameras. We’re also very pleased to welcome ZOOM’s charity partner, Starlight Children’s Foundation. They do a fantastic job making sick children’s dreams come true and it’s great to see the kids every year at the Monaco Grand Prix. It’s good to have them on board”

Bernie Ecclestone, former chief executive of the Formula One Group

“So far Zoom as raised nearly £100,000 for children’s charities and this year is on track to be the best yet thanks to our new partner Starlight which is both the event manager and charity partner,” Christian Sylt told me. “Every year Starlight takes a group of ill children to the Monaco Grand Prix to introduce them to the drivers and make their F1 dreams come true.

“It makes Starlight an ideal fit for Zoom which is the only event, except for a Grand Prix, involving all of the drivers and team bosses. They all come together for a very good cause and one of the photos illustrates this perhaps better than any of the others. You’ll have to wait till Friday to find out which!”

Friday promises to be an excellent night and I for one cannot wait to be a part of something which is for such a great cause.